It looks like sidelined stars Joe Rokocoko and Daniel Braid will have to rely on reputation rather than form to press their claims for the All Blacks' end of year tour as their untimely injuries continue to drag on.
The struggling Auckland side could certainly do with their services but frustrated coach Shane Howarth says a cautious approach must be taken with both players who have had their seasons plagued by injuries.
Rokocoko is out for another week with a hamstring injury he picked up soon after returning from a four month break following wrist surgery during the Super 14.
Braid's Air New Zealand Cup campaign may well be over with the latest prognosis on his ankle injury suggesting a further two or three weeks off.
This comes on top of a leg injury that hampered his efforts to complete what was eventually a remarkable recall to the All Blacks to cover the key openside flanker's role while Richie McCaw was unavailable for Test duties in the early phases of the Tri Nations.
Howarth admitted it was a difficult time for both players who have high aspirations of making the Grand Slam tour that also includes a stopover in Hong Kong for the fourth Bledisloe Cup test.
Auckland had hoped to have both players available for this weekend's Battle of the Bridge with North Harbour but that hasn't eventuated.
The pair were injured in the win over Bay of Plenty on September 12 and missed last week's Ranfurly Shield loss to Wellington.
"It's not looking good," Howarth said of Braid's ankle problem. "Initially it was OK but we have had the MRI and it's not flash."
The prognosis is better on Rokocoko but there is the danger that Auckland's ordinary form could curtail his chances if they don't qualify for the Air New Zealand Cup playoffs.
"Hopefully it's only a week but you never know with these stallions. You ask them and they say they are alright but I think Joe just has to be sure," said Howarth.
"It's frustrating for Joe particularly because he's had four months out and come back and pulls a hammy. I think it's frustrating for himself and for Graham (Henry) that he's not on the pitch playing.
"But we have to be careful with that, we can't just chuck him in because there's a tour at the end of the year. We have got to make sure he's right to get back on the field."
Howarth backed Rokocoko to make the All Blacks despite his truncated season.
Wing has been a problem position for the All Blacks with centre Richard Kahui making a successful transition there after Anthony Tuitavake and Rudi Wulf failed to convince the selectors of their worthiness for the big Tri-Nations matches.
Rokocoko mightn't have the current form but he has the track record of scoring 43 tries in 48 tests.
There's no shortage of young wings making their mark in the Air New Zealand Cup but Rokocoko's experience could be telling for a tour that has five tests on consecutive weekends as well as a midweek fixture against Ireland's Heineken Cup champions Munster.
"You have to look at it that way ... if Richard's playing on the wing there has to be an opportunity for Joe," reasoned Howarth.
"He's proven at that level that he can play there. It's just a matter of getting himself match fit.
"If we can hang around this competition a little longer and get him some games that will be better for him."
The problem is, the way Auckland are going, that may be easier said than done although they have a kind finish to the round-robin play in the national championship.
After North Harbour they host Northland in their last match to see if they can make the quarter-finals.
The All Blacks touring squad will be named on October 26, the day after the grand final. They fly to Hong Kong on October 27.
